Vascular Interventions

 

These non-surgical procedures are utilized to treat blocked vessels in the legs, seal off expanded vessels or block bleeding vessels.

 

Arteries

 

Narrowing of arteries (peripherovascular disease)

 

Angioplasty, atherectomy, stenting and thrombolysis are four procedures performed by us to treat atherosclerotic disease of the leg arteries. With balloon angioplasty, the blocked artery is opened up by a small balloon mounted on a catheter. The balloon is inflated to dilated the obstruction and restore blood flow. Additionally, stents can be placed into the artery if the angioplasty isn't successful. When arteries are chronically occluded, an artery drill (atherectomy) can be utilized to open up the vessel leading to other procedures. At times, "clot-busting" drugs can be administered via a catheter directly into clots in leg arteries (thrombolysis) to restore blood flow.

 

Bleeding 

 

Damaged or injured arteries can lead to internal, life-threatening bleeding. With minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedures such as catheter-directed embolization or stent graft placement, we can perform life-saving, precise, and safe blockage of the bleeding artery.

 

Veins

 

Blocked veins (DVT)

 

Deep vein thrombosis is caused by slow blood flow in the veins or due to problems with coagulation. Typically, these form in the pelvis and leg veins leading to pain and swelling. Some of the blood clots may break off and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). In general, your doctor will start you on "blood-thinning" medication (anticoagulants) to prevent further development of DVT. With minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedures such as thrombolysis, we can treat acute DVT to prevent long-term complications in selected patients.

 

Blood clots in lungs (pulmonary embolism)

 

Pulmonary embolism is caused by a part of a DVT that breaks off and travels to the lung. The clot then blocks blood flow to the lung in some cases leading to death. Most patients are treated only with blood thinners. However, when the blocked blood flow to the lung leads to excess strain on the heart, more aggressive treatment measures are taken in select patients. With minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedures such as catheter-directed thrombolysis, we can treat acute PE to prevent long-term complications in this group of patients.

 

IVC Filters

 

Although most patients with PE/DVT are successfully treated with blood thinners, some may require IVC filter placement to prevent pelvis and leg DVT from travelling to lung.